Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Nov 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialIbuprofen for tonsillectomy pain in children: efficacy and complications.
We designed a prospective, randomized, double-blind study to test the efficacy and safety of ibuprofen compared with acetaminophen with codeine for pediatric posttonsillectomy/adenotonsillectomy patients. Twenty-seven children, aged 6 to 16 years, were enrolled. We collected information on pain control, return to normal sleep pattern, return to normal diet, and duration for which medication was required. ⋯ The mean change in postoperative bleeding time between the two groups was statistically significant (p = 0.0140). We found no statistically significant differences in prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time between groups. On the basis of the findings of this pilot study, we conclude that acetaminophen with codeine is safer and more efficacious than ibuprofen in the management of posttonsillectomy/adenotonsillectomy pain in children.